WASHINGTON POST — July 15 — Rep. Ron Paul, the libertarian phenom of the 2008 presidential campaign, is the inspiration behind a new online dating site called Ron Paul Singles. "We put the LOVE in Revolution," the Web site proclaims. FULL ARTICLE @ WASHINGTON POST
Month: July 2009
Top 3 Reasons Why People Buy Virtual Goods
VIXIMO — July 14 — The Virtual Goods industry is growing extremely quickly. Some estimate the size of the industry to reach $5.5 billion globally this year. Virtual goods are sold in four primary arenas; Social Networks, Online Dating Sites, Games and Virtual Worlds. To understand virtual goods we need to understand what drives this value system:
- Virtual goods help users stand out from the crowd – Paying for avatar clothing, hair styles, and other accessories is natural to ensure you establish a visual identity that represents you. Users who distinguish themselves more on dating sites are getting more dates.
– Virtual goods help users express themselves – MySpace allows users to customize their profile pages to express their personal style and interests. This feature is so popular it is widely regarded as one of a few reasons why MySpace was so successful in gaining traction.
– Virtual Goods help users to gain an advantage – Users can purchase a “featured spot” in search results to increase exposure to the site’s audience and thus increase their chances of being noticed by a potential mate.
The full article was originally published at Viximo Blog, but is no longer available.
Key Learnings For Online Daters From iDate 2009
ONLINE DATING MAGAZINE — July 13 — iDate is an
established conference for the online dating industry, but it’s not a
venue for consumers. It is the only dating conference in the US, and it
runs two US shows a year.
Major Themes of iDate L.A. 2009:
– Personalization
Dating
sites like Match or eHarmony don’t consistently deliver on
personalization; they instead push and depend on volume. I kept hearing
in the halls of iDate is that big dating sites are becoming antiquated
in their features and business models. The takeaway for daters: Explore
niche sites and start-up sites to see what features they offer above
and beyond what large dating sites offer.
sites like Match or eHarmony don’t consistently deliver on
personalization; they instead push and depend on volume. I kept hearing
in the halls of iDate is that big dating sites are becoming antiquated
in their features and business models. The takeaway for daters: Explore
niche sites and start-up sites to see what features they offer above
and beyond what large dating sites offer.
– Competency
Without
ongoing research and development, dating sites can’t remain connected
to the customers’ needs. One of the most active research and
development programs I’ve seen firsthand is that of
PlentyofFish.com. The owner, Markus Frind offers a direct pipeline
between him and his membership. The takeaway for daters: Dating sites
belong to active users, not the management. Innovation seems to be very
slow at the moment in the industry.
ongoing research and development, dating sites can’t remain connected
to the customers’ needs. One of the most active research and
development programs I’ve seen firsthand is that of
PlentyofFish.com. The owner, Markus Frind offers a direct pipeline
between him and his membership. The takeaway for daters: Dating sites
belong to active users, not the management. Innovation seems to be very
slow at the moment in the industry.
– Integration
Online
dating sites are no longer an isolated industry. Some of the iDate
presentations addressed how companies need to integrate with other
businesses to provide better payment solutions for customers, whereas
other talks examined how dating sites can be meshed with social
networks. The takeaway for daters: Don’t wait for dating sites to
bring new features to you; be creative on your own.
Online
dating sites are no longer an isolated industry. Some of the iDate
presentations addressed how companies need to integrate with other
businesses to provide better payment solutions for customers, whereas
other talks examined how dating sites can be meshed with social
networks. The takeaway for daters: Don’t wait for dating sites to
bring new features to you; be creative on your own.
Online Dating Remains Lucrative
WAVESNEWSPAPERS — July 14 – It seems love online is booming. That was the message coming out of iDate 2009, the bi-annual/bi-coastal business conference for the online dating industry that was held in Beverly Hills recently. Josh Meyers and Ron Worthy, respectively CEO and VP of marketing and business development for PeopleMedia, attended.
Q: Why is it important for PeopleMedia to be here?
Meyers: Our goals and objectives are really to gather industry intelligence, to see what our competitors, colleagues, and peers are up to.
Worthy: It’s also a great opportunity to come face to face with folks you may interact with on a monthly basis, so there’s a social aspect to it.
Q: What are the latest trends in online dating and how are you getting ahead of the curve?
Meyers: More people are getting into online dating and its proving to be a more economic way. We’ve seen a 55% increase YOY of unique visitors to our sites.
Worthy: There’s less stigma attached to it than even three years ago.
Q: How do you maintain safety on your sites?
Meyers: We police the door. Once people come in, you watch what they are doing and if you see something starting, you send those people back out of the door they came in. Then beyond that point it’s the users responsibility as it’s the club goers to also be safe.
The full article was originally published at La Wave, but is no longer available.
SuMatch.com Knocks Off AdultFriendFinder Design
1888PRESS RELEASE — July 15 – SuMatch.com is a new dating site for people who are discreet or serious about website dating. You can view pictures of profiles from all over the world or just in your city. SuMatch was developed with aggressive dating in mine sorta like speed dating. This means, you can view more dates within a short period and start a conversation with your potential mate. FULL ARTICLE @ 1888PRESS RELEASE
Mark Brooks: You can find this press releases in the All Bad Press Releases section on OPW. Meanwhile, the site design is a knock-off of the AdultFriendFinder design.
Match.com Launches Channel On BT Vision
NEW MEDIA AGE — July 14 – Match.com has launched an interactive channel on the BT
Vision IPTV service as part of the dating site’s cross-platform
strategy. BT Vision’s subscribers can now search for potential partners
via their TV using the Match.com service, which includes all of its
primary functionality such as viewing messages, sending ‘winks’, search
and profile updates. The channel is available to access via the BT
Vision EPG. FULL ARTICLE @ NEW MEDIA AGE
Table For Two NW – New Matchmaking Service
THE NEWS TRIBUNE — July 14 — After an 11-year career in state government, Wendy Dillon has launched a dating service called Table For Two NW.
Q: How does your service work?
A: First, I offer a free, 30-minute consultation. We do a complete background check: criminal, sex offender, education and employment. Then they are put into my database that helps me make matches based on similar characteristics and personality types. I don’t use pictures. I call them both, and if they agree they want to meet, I set up a reservation at a network of restaurants that are working with me.
Q: Is the first date always going to be at a restaurant?*
A: It doesn’t have to be, but I prefer to send people to lunch or dinner because there’s a defined end to it.
Q: What’s the next level of commitment for the client?
A: Signing the contract. Membership includes 12 introductions, and there is no set time frame.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Membership is $1,000.
Q: Why did you decide not to use pictures?
A: My goal is to make matches based on something much deeper than physical appearance.
A: Membership is $1,000.
Q: Why did you decide not to use pictures?
A: My goal is to make matches based on something much deeper than physical appearance.
Q: What’s your typical client like?
A: They are right around 40 and have been divorced a year to two years. Then I have those over 60.
Q: What’s the minimum age for your clients?
A: My target demographic begins at 25.
Q: Of those 40 clients, how many are men, how many are women?
A: I would say I probably have 70% women.
The full article was originally published at The News Tribune, but is no longer available.
Partners Cohabit To Spend More Time Together
USA TODAY — July 8 — Most unmarried couples who live together aren't trying to test their relationship. They just want to spend more time together. The latest U.S. Census for 2008 reported 13.6 m unmarried, heterosexual couples living together. Researchers say 50% to 60% of couples who marry today lived together first; some note that 70% of young adults will cohabit. Most couples who live together either marry or break up within two years. FULL ARTICLE @ USA TODAY
Together Dating Opens In Richmond, Virginia
BIG NEWS — July 14 – Together Dating recently opened an office in Richmond, Virginia. The Richmond office will be under the management of International Dating Ventures, the parent company to Together Dating and The Right One. FULL ARTICLE @ BIN NEWS
Wanted: CEO To Facilitate Marital Affairs
HR MAGAZINE — July 14 – Online dating site Illicitencounters.com, which specialises in setting up dates for married people, has advertised for a CEO. Sara Hartley, Ilicitencounters.com representative from the site, said: "A few candidates sent applications but later declined our offer of an interview as their spouse had forbidden them from attending.
The full article was originally published at HR Magazine, but is no longer available.